MIAMI -- A team of four surgeons is performing a delicate and difficult operation to remove a huge growth from a Haitian girl's face.

Thousands of people from across the globe answered the call of the International Kids Fund to donate money for a Marlie Casseus, whose face is horribly disfigured by a 16-pound tumor-like growth.

Marlie is undergoing surgery at Holtz Children's Hospital, thanks to the generous contributions from people as far away as China who helped pay for the $95,000 operation.

In addition to China, donations poured into the IKF from people living in places like Iceland, Latvia, the United Kingdom and Sweden.

The operation to remove the growth that has taken over Marlie's entire face began at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and is expected to last 12 to 14 hours.

The growth is larger than Marlie's head; only her eyes, nostrils and a tooth can be recognized in her swollen face.

"The mass is almost the same size of the skull," Dr. Kami Parsa said at a news conference Tuesday.

Her doctors said that the growth has affected Marlie's sight and her ability to eat and breathe.

"It's starting to grow into her eye socket, which is dangerous for her because if it grows any further it could cause her to go blind," Dr. Wendy Lee said.

Doctors said she suffers from a genetic disease disorder that affects every bone in her body.

The IKF is entirely funded by donations from the general public and private organizations.

The organization continues to raise money for the subsequent operations Marlie will need to regain her face. All operations are being offered at charity rates.

Marlie does not have medical insurance and her family cannot afford to pay for her medical bills. In addition, since she is not a U.S. citizen or resident, Holtz Children's Hospital is prohibited by law to tap into publicly funded resources to treat her.

To make a donation to help Marlie, send a check or money order to:

International Kids Fund
Re: Marlie Casseus
P.O. Box 012297
Miami, FL 33101

For more information, call (305) 585-5888 or (877) IKF-KIDS (453-5437).